THE ROLE OF A PRODUCER- By Steven McClintock | Producer, Multi-Award winner

He was a staff writer for Island Music, Welk Group Polygram, George Tobin Music, Sony ATV, Ashstreet and McJames Music Inc.2 BMI Millionaire Award, 5 times Platinum in Canada with Tiffany, 4 times in US, recent double gold in Germany with Robin Schulz (EDM).

Producer and Production

There are different definitions of a producer and production, based on genres of music. But for this purpose, here is my definition:They are in charge!Of course I am half way kidding, but not.He or she is in charge of everything to make the song or songs, CD or EP, sound great and come in within budget. A producer should be someone that “gets you” because they need to help you corral songs/songwriters, musicians, background singers, studios, arrangements and help the artist come up with budget.

Budget!

BUDGET! One of the toughest jobs of an indie producer.

As an artist, try not to “overwish” a recording session.In other words, don’t take on more than you can afford to do.And make sure you have the proper time to do the project.Rushing greatness is never good ;).

Have a Plan!

Make sure you have a plan. A good producer will sit down with an artist and go over the budget, find out a bit about them, where they are coming from and where they want to go.

I will usually pull out a guitar or keyboard and just play shit back and forth. Or grab a beat, or just listen to music for a bit. I’ll go to lunch or dinner with them. The goal is to create an opportunity to figure each other out. To know what makes them musically tick... what they love, what their strengths and weaknesses are. Weakness is not always a bad thing, weakness can make you beautiful. An artist perceived weakness could be their strength.

Find Someone you like

My suggestion to the new artist, first and foremost…find someone you like! You have to spend HOURS…sometimes weeks with each other. You have to be honest with each other... and vulnerable. You have to be willing to make mistakes, have them see you naked… so to speak. You have a common goal to make the music as good as it can be.

I like to approach an artist from the point of view of a great song…that doesn’t fit ALL acts of course, but let’s face it, in most cases, it all starts with the song. I rarely will start with a track, tho some fun, exciting songs have developed that way, working on one now with a German artist. I was a staff writer for years and have done a million demos, so I know how to get what I want down without spending a fortune, but I also do not want to cut corners. My pet peeve is to have an artist spend a ton of money and time on tracking and then leave no budget, time or energy to get great vocals done. NOR do they enough leave time and dough for a proper mix. You can change everything with a great mix.

Make it different... and better!

To finish up, a good producer should take your sound and make it different or better. It might be to create a crisp, sharp, in your face sound, or make it a smooth, velvety sound, or even sparse and deliberate sound. Whatever the style, the producer should be there to enhance the artist skills and even sometimes, help develop them. Big job, small rewards on the indie level, financially speaking, but so amazing when it comes out right!